Update

I can now access Facebook but cannot interact by adding anything to it! So please talk to me on msn messenger or Skype: patatwho2

I didn't tell you about Teachers Day last Friday, as we were off to the seaside so early next day. I would have posted pics on Facebook but that's not possible at the moment, so I'll post a few here instead. First the teachers and Staff of EFF.

Mark outside EFF, a very nice building and attacking the Cake.

Teachers Day seems to be held all over the world... except for the UK and Europe. This is info from Wikipedia...

This holiday allows students to express their respect to their teacher. Students begin preparing a week in advance, and many classes usually prepare literature and art to welcome teacher’s day, while other students prepare foods and flowers for the parties held at their schools. Students usually visit their teachers at their homes to offer flowers and small gifts, or organize trips with their teachers and classmates. Former students also pay respect to their former teachers on this day. The holiday has its origins in a meeting between educators in communist bloc nations in Warsaw in 1957. It was first celebrated in 1958 as the Day of the International Manifest of Educators; in 1982 the day was renamed Vietnamese Educators' Day.

At lunchtime we met former students Trang and Uyen and had a very enjoyable evening at EFF with the students, some of whom played and sang for us and a good time was had by all.

I wonder why it is that in Europe we have no equivalent? Do students in the UK have no appreciation for their Teachers?

Maybe its because here and in other countries, students have to pay for tuition and so have a greater respect for learning.

Face-OFF

Oops! This link appears to be broken. This is what appears when I try to open Facebook! Apparently, its been banned by the VN government and shutting the stable door springs to mind. I have got messages but I'm unable to reply to any friends and family. However, I'm still on msn messenger, so look for me there.

We spent the weekend at the south coast, Long Hai and Vung Tau, where where they are hosting a 'Mrs Universe Pageant'. It's a long 90 kilometre trip by bike from here and we left home at 5am to be there early, so were immediately besieged by local vendors of fresh crabs and cooked squid, straw hats and icecream.

After our long ride we were glad to relax on deckchairs in the shade of umbrellas, which was very nice, except for the loud jingle of the icecream carts and noise of the crowds that soon filled the beach, like Blackpool on a Bank Holiday! I went to sleep anyway.

Vung Tao, which is similar to Llandudno with a large hill like the Great Orme, except for the giant Christ on the hill.

The ride was not as comfortable on Mark's bike as it was with Mr Wing, my Easy Rider. That could be something to do with the fact that Mark takes up more room than Mr Wing on his bike, who's much smaller and thinner and after a while my bum was quite numb so we stopped half way for a much needed break and drink.

We left before dawn on Saturday to take advantage of the cool early morning (I even needed my light fleece), and the quieter roads, or so we thought. However, the traffic was almost as busy as usual with heavy lorries and buses! The ride home on Sunday afternoon was even worse, as everyone seemed to be returning from the seaside at the same time and we were quite exhausted by the time we arrived in the early evening, glad to be back in the comfort of home surroundings!

Mutual support

Mark has been making my stay here very comfortable with a new bed, new bedding and AC, which has cost quite a lot of Dong! My room is now a comfortable 24' which is a huge improvement on sweltering!

Went shopping at Big C with Nick and Gwen where we had lunch at KFC, and very delicious it was too! Probably better quality than at home.

Patricia making friends with Gwen, Nick's lady friend.

So I'm helping him sort out his files and folders as well as tidy up the house and kitchen. A woman's work is never done! But that's what mutual support is all about... while he looks after me, I look after him.

He's actually taking some time off work to visit Vung Tau, a coastal resort some 100 kilometres from here. As we'll be going by bike, we'll set off at dawn; 5am on Saturday, to make the most of the weekend.

Getting sorted

Patricia at home!

As I write, the AC is being fitted in my room, which is really essential for western comfort, though not so good energy-wise. In these climes, if every house had solar panels, there would be enough electric for every appliance. Maybe one day.

This morning I went with Mark and Nick to the school, which is nearby, where I act as Mark's PA at meetings and take notes.

This is taken outside the building, which the picture doesn't show well at all!

Hello VietNam!

Just to put all minds at rest, I've arrived safe and sound but only just managed to get on-line. (Patricia on the Qantas flight to Doha, where she slept away most of the 7 hour stop.)

Had two hectic days after landing at Saigon on Friday night. That night we stayed at the apartment of one of his colleagues and nearly all of Saturday was spent in Saigon as Mark was working at his new school there. It was Pearly's last day there as she's taking a well earned rest after months of hard work setting up the school and the staff brought in a quite delicious ice cream cake and farewell gifts for her.

We finally got 'home' to Bien Hoa in time for a late supper with Nick and old friends. My bedroom has no AC so I was pretty hot last night, despite the fan working away, so Mark is arranging for one to be installed ASAP, which will probably happen tomorrow, I hope!

First thing this morning I was introducing myself to some very young students at another school nearby, then most of the day has been taken up with shopping, meeting people and watching a film in Mark's private cinema; his bedroom!

My Big Buddy Michael (not quite so big now!) came over tonight and we caught up with all the gossip, so I've just had a shower and got on-line at last! It's now 11:40 pm and I'm likely to fall asleep any minute but I don't think I have Jet-lag, not so far anyway. So that's all folks for now!

Oldies but Goodies

Spending the weekend with a lady of advanced years and suffering from Parkinson's, but not yet ready to give up on life! She paints (not as well as she used to) and plays the mouth organ (quite badly,) still walks the dog and drives her car locally, but thankfully no further afield. She enjoys cooking, although not eating much. Her lifelong friend came for supper; two old girls sharing a great sense of humour. Her house is full of her paintings of boats and coastal views from her sailing days with her husband. Such an interesting old lady; I reckon she's had a good life and probably with more to come!

Jude's 'playroom', where she paints and plays the piano.

I can't believe that in 5 days I'll be flying abroad once more! I've been so busy with one thing and another that it seemed so far away, and suddenly the time is almost here! I've been waking in the night remembering things to do and just hope I've done everything I'm supposed to; tickets, visa, insurance... oh yes... passport!

HALLOWEEN

Phew! Had a great weekend celebrating my grand-daughter Cathy's 21st Birthday (actually on Wednesday) in the traditional Halloween manner.



I'm glad to say that everyone came to the party in fancy dress and a good time was had by all. The boyfriend Miguel was a very good Marcel Marceau, while Georgia was a little devil.

My Vietnamese student guests entered into the spirit, as you can see and guess who Morticia is, pictured with Birthday Girl and her mother ?

There was so much food that the party continued today and I only got home late this afternoon. We relaxed to a DVD; "The Illusionist"; a good film with an interesting plot, though some of us slept through part of it.